Gordon Brown has opened the doors to a new reading room bearing his name at Adam Smith College.
Mr Brown, chancellor of the Fife college, has donated some of his personal and Downing Street collection to the college to allow students and members of the community to benefit from access to the books.
The collection, held in St Brycedale Campus, contains a large range of works including a number on international political leaders such as Kennedy, Gandhi and Mandela. It also encompasses economics, architecture and British politics.
It includes the works of Adam Smith, the philosopher and father of modern economics after whom the college is named, primarily The Theory Of Moral Sentiments and his best-known book, The Wealth Of Nations.
Mr Brown said he was “delighted” Adam Smith College had accepted the offer to take care of part of his personal book collection.
“Keeping these books within the community will enable so many more people to access and enjoy them, just as I have,” he said.
“Some of the books were presented to myself and Sarah personally from the authors themselves and have meant a great deal to us.”Benefit of townHe added, “We would like to thank the college and in particular its library staff for looking after the books for the benefit of the people of Kirkcaldy and beyond.”
As college chancellor, Mr Brown is no stranger to staff and students and this visit is one of many he undertakes throughout the year.
In addition, the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP has helped bring some eminent speakers to the college and to Fife.
In January local businesses, students and staff were able to hear first-hand from the UK digital champion Martha Lane-Fox.
College principal Dr Craig Thomson said, “To have Gordon as the chancellor of our college is a great accolade for our students and staff.”